10% Happier with Dan Harris Leigh Brasington
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Apr 22, 2016 
Leigh Brasington, a leading American teacher of Jhana meditation, shares his decades of experience in this enlightening discussion. He dives into the eight Jhana states, emphasizing the importance of deep concentration and immersive retreats. Brasington also explores the transformative nature of joy in meditation, contrasting spontaneous bliss with mental clutter. He addresses the controversy surrounding Jhana’s accessibility and its place in modern Buddhism, while advocating for 'relaxed diligence' as essential for effective practice.
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Jhanas Are Concentration Stairs
- Jhanas are eight progressive altered states reached by deep concentration that prepare the mind for insight practice.
- They reduce egocentric perspective and improve ability to see reality more clearly.
Use Retreats To Learn Jhanas
- To reliably learn jhanas, attend residential retreats of about 10 days minimum to remove life distractions.
- Expect no guaranteed outcome; retreats increase chances but individual results vary.
Build Access Concentration First
- Generate access concentration first using breath, body sweep, loving‑kindness, or mantra until distractions subside.
- Then shift to a pleasant sensation and stay focused without adding anything else to access the first jhana.